A WA parliamentary question seeks information on the recording and accessibility of 000 calls, and the average waiting time for connection to emergency services. The response confirms recording but denies public access, citing internal use and the Telecommunications (Interception) Act 1979, and refers waiting time inquiries to Telstra.

AnsweredQoN 1561Legislative Assembly
Asked
17 October 2006
Portfolio
Police and Emergency Services

QuestionView source ↗

(1) Will the Minister advise if 000 calls are recorded and if so are they available for the general public to have access to?
(2) What is the average waiting time for operators to connect to the proper agency?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
21 November 2006
Responded by
Minister for Police and Emergency Services
Response time
35 days
(1) All 000 calls forwarded to the Western Australia Police are recorded. These recordings are not accessible to the public; however they are retained in case of follow up queries from a particular caller. (2) Telstra receive all 000 calls through their Melbourne call centre and distribute them to the respective emergency services throughout Australia. Enquiries regarding the waiting time for Western Australian 000 calls should be referred to Telstra. Fire and Emergency Services Authority (FESA) (1) Yes 000 calls are recorded, however recordings are not available to the general public. The recordings are for internal use only in accordance with the Telecommunications (Interception) Act 1979 . (2) Telstra receive all 000 calls through their Melbourne call centre and distribute them to the respective emergency services throughout Australia. Enquiries regarding the waiting time for Western Australian 000 calls should be referred to Telstra.
(2) Telstra receive all 000 calls through their Melbourne call centre and distribute them to the respective emergency services throughout Australia. Enquiries regarding the waiting time for Western Australian 000 calls should be referred to Telstra. Fire and Emergency Services Authority (FESA) (1) Yes 000 calls are recorded, however recordings are not available to the general public. The recordings are for internal use only in accordance with the Telecommunications (Interception) Act 1979 . (2) Telstra receive all 000 calls through their Melbourne call centre and distribute them to the respective emergency services throughout Australia. Enquiries regarding the waiting time for Western Australian 000 calls should be referred to Telstra.
Fire and Emergency Services Authority (FESA) (1) Yes 000 calls are recorded, however recordings are not available to the general public. The recordings are for internal use only in accordance with the Telecommunications (Interception) Act 1979 . (2) Telstra receive all 000 calls through their Melbourne call centre and distribute them to the respective emergency services throughout Australia. Enquiries regarding the waiting time for Western Australian 000 calls should be referred to Telstra.
(1) Yes 000 calls are recorded, however recordings are not available to the general public. The recordings are for internal use only in accordance with the Telecommunications (Interception) Act 1979 . (2) Telstra receive all 000 calls through their Melbourne call centre and distribute them to the respective emergency services throughout Australia. Enquiries regarding the waiting time for Western Australian 000 calls should be referred to Telstra.
(2) Telstra receive all 000 calls through their Melbourne call centre and distribute them to the respective emergency services throughout Australia. Enquiries regarding the waiting time for Western Australian 000 calls should be referred to Telstra.

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